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The FA Cup 3rd round is a welcome break from the rollercoaster ride that is the dream-crushing Barclays. Cardiff City travel to Gillingham with memories of Paul Parry’s 2005 equaliser etched in their minds – and the first game between the sides since that day 13 years ago. A trip to Kent beckons…

Three things to look out for

Smithies in goals. Oh what could have been. Smithies came highly-rated in the summer but Etheridge has kicked on, improving week-on-week. Smithies would have been expecting get a few games while Etheridge played in the Asia Cup but alas, that didn’t happen and now he’s reduced to cup appearances. A good game here could give Warnock food for thought but, ultimately, it’s just a chance for him to play 90 minutes.

Manga back at CB. Bruno is, according to some Twitter accounts, the only outfield player to play every minute of his clubs games in the Premier League. He also played against Norwich in the Carabao and is set to revert back to CB against the Gills tomorrow. He’s our best defender and deserves a shot at CB. Perhaps this is a sign of things to come with rumours of a RB on the horizon…

Damour, no more. The fact that Damour is still here is testament to him – he came from nowhere last season and played a fair bit in the clubs promotion run. But this season, he’s come off the bench a couple of times but isn’t here for the long haul. Any player involved in the miraculous promotion under Warnock deserves a special mention and if Damour does get a run out, I hope he gets the goodbye he deserves.

Gillingham players to watch out for

Football League stalwart Gabriel Zakuani captains the Gills and Cardiff have had plenty of encounters over the years. A defender who perhaps has never reached the heights his ability deserves, he’s a tough defender who won’t give our strikers an inch.

Gillingham also have a few names that are recognisable to lower league fans – Josh Parker, Tom Eaves, Dean Parrett, amongst others – and they’ll all be ready to show they aren’t mugs. Gillingham isn’t an easy ground to go to and they’ll be out to avenge the relegation of 2005.

Best Case Result

With the squad we have and the players that Warnock is slated to play, we should get the win. Warnock likes the FA Cup and will be making sure his players don’t become complacent. Gillingham are sitting precariously in League One and Cardiff should take advantage of that. Cardiff 3-0.

Worst Case Result

A welcome break from the League for Gillingham could see them relax. They’ll also be looking to get their name in lights with a scalp of a Premier League team. We lose our focus for a second, Gillingham could take advantage and with the home crowd on their side, an embarrassment could be on the cards. 2-1 Gills.